PUBLIC Transport

[Snorky33]

Originally Posted by cambennett

Great to see Labour coming out in support of this. Shame they dont have a snowball's chance in hell of winning though.

Thank the fuck for that

[Brojoro]

Originally Posted by Snorky33

Thank the fuck for that

And that would concern you how moron.

[AK-Sam]

Originally Posted by master_klon

The trains may be quieter and quicker but the interior looks the same.
How about:
a) overhead luggage carriers
b) bike racks
c) better quality seats with armrests (and folding laptop trays - now that wifi is being introduced)?

Relatively cheap installations, but important to the comfort of passengers. Maybe I've been holidaying overseas too often

Seats that face each other are also cool (with tables in the middle).

I just got back from 2 months in Italy/Greece/Turkey.. A lot of things are highlighted to me more now.. Eg we have a LOT of empty buses (and other vehicles) in the CBD..it's totally dominated by vehicles. We have a LOT of traffic cones everywhere (I hardly saw any in Europe) and very few bikes, scooters and micro cars.
Most streets in Rome for example are "shared spaces" and work very well without any road cones, signage, kerbs, coloured paving, etc. Before my trip, I didn't think shared spaces were anything special, but I'm more in favour of them now, especially with Trams going though them..it just works.

I saw a large number of recharge stations (and thus free & central parking spaces) for electric cars. Actually, electric Smart cars are one of the most common vehicles over there, followed by Fiat 500s (the new model).

I also noticed that 250-350cc scooters are an awesome way to travel. Not the crappy 50cc things we have which are noisy, slow and unsafe (only suitable for students and daredevils). Our license system is partially to blame - 50cc is the max we can ride on a car license, so no coincidence.

It's weird being back..really shows me how spread out Auckland is.

[KiwiRob]

50cc is the max a European can also ride on a car license, to ride anything larger you still need a motorbike license. They are also speed restricted to 50kph.

[AK-Sam]

interesting, thanks!

[master_klon]

In the Netherlands you can ride a 50cc scooter on the bike path from 16 years of age (no license).

[Snorky33]

Originally Posted by Brojoro

And that would concern you how moron.

A Labour voter no doubt...oh dear how sad

[SYDNEY]

The electrification of Auckland's train network is progressing well. These pics were taken at Swanson train Station, theres a quaint little cafe there and well worth the trip for breakfast.

image hosted on flickr

06 NOV 11 18°C SWANSON by Urban+Explorer, on Flickr

image hosted on flickr

06 NOV 11 18°C SWANSON by Urban+Explorer, on Flickr

image hosted on flickr

06 NOV 11 18°C SWANSON by Urban+Explorer, on Flickr

image hosted on flickr

06 NOV 11 18°C SWANSON by Urban+Explorer, on Flickr

image hosted on flickr

06 NOV 11 18°C SWANSON by Urban+Explorer, on Flickr

[viinniie]

shit! they must be starting the electrification from the west. inward?

[Matt L]

Originally Posted by viinniie

shit! they must be starting the electrification from the west. inward?

Yes, masts are up pretty much the whole way between Swanson and Avondale with some random patches up between there and Mt Eden. They started putting them up months ago and most of the work can be done at night. In a few places there is the odd mast missing but that's because they are waiting for the new signalling system to go live which will probably be at Christmas.

I suspect the last part to be done will be on the Eastern line on the bit between Glen Innes and Britomart. I can already imagine the howls from the nearby residents when they realise their view will be 'ruined' by the sight of them

[viinniie]

dont worry matt L the new trains will be a far better site running along the lines. the countdown is on alright. i cant wait tbh. the powerlines arn't that bad really. worth it non the less

[cambennett]

Mayor seeks China's rail secrets
JESSICA TASMAN-JONES Last updated 18:38 10/11/11


Mayor Len Brown is making tracks to China this evening where he will look at the latest tunnel infrastructure developments in the hope of fast-tracking Auckland's rail plans.

He hopes to see technologies which could mean significant savings for Auckland ratepayers who are set to get tunnels for the city rail link, Waterview project and the second harbour crossing in the next couple of decades.

"China is a world leader in tunnelling technology, and is developing new approaches to building urban tunnels which could save millions of dollars on major transport projects," Brown says.

In particular Brown hopes cutting-edge boring technology will speed up the rate at which the city rail link tunnel can be completed.

"If we can shoot that tunnel through in half the time we're indicating at the moment, well that's major savings."

Current estimates suggest it will take seven to 10 years to construct.

The $2.4 billion project would see a 3.5km underground rail loop connecting proposed stations at Newton, Aotea Square and Karangahape Road.

According to Auckland Transport, the rail link would almost treble the capacity for employees and residents in Karangahape Rd and Newton.

And the station at Aotea Square would double the number of people able to be transported into the area, potentially increasing employment opportunities from 40,000 currently to 80,000.

But Transport Minister Steven Joyce has said he is not convinced of its cost benefits.

As such the Government is yet to commit the 50 per cent funding requested by Brown in the draft 2012-2022 long term plan.

Labour has made an election promise to pay up.

Brown and his travel group will view Maglev Transportation Project, Shanghai Metro Company, Shanghai Changjiang Tunnel and Bridge Project, Wuxi tunnel boring machines manufacturing site, and the Tsing Ma Bridge in Hong Kong.

The trip is a precursor to a council business trip in the pipeline for 2012.

"Auckland and New Zealand have strong and growing relationships with China, and Auckland has long had a significant Chinese community, many from the Guangdong region," Brown says.

Next year's trip is set to depart in April at a cost of $25,000.

[buildemhigh]

Originally Posted by cambennett

Mayor seeks China's rail secrets
JESSICA TASMAN-JONES Last updated 18:38 10/11/11


Mayor Len Brown is making tracks to China this evening where he will look at the latest tunnel infrastructure developments in the hope of fast-tracking Auckland's rail plans.

He hopes to see technologies which could mean significant savings for Auckland ratepayers who are set to get tunnels for the city rail link, Waterview project and the second harbour crossing in the next couple of decades.

"China is a world leader in tunnelling technology, and is developing new approaches to building urban tunnels which could save millions of dollars on major transport projects," Brown says.

In particular Brown hopes cutting-edge boring technology will speed up the rate at which the city rail link tunnel can be completed.

"If we can shoot that tunnel through in half the time we're indicating at the moment, well that's major savings."

Current estimates suggest it will take seven to 10 years to construct.

The $2.4 billion project would see a 3.5km underground rail loop connecting proposed stations at Newton, Aotea Square and Karangahape Road.

According to Auckland Transport, the rail link would almost treble the capacity for employees and residents in Karangahape Rd and Newton.

And the station at Aotea Square would double the number of people able to be transported into the area, potentially increasing employment opportunities from 40,000 currently to 80,000.

But Transport Minister Steven Joyce has said he is not convinced of its cost benefits.

As such the Government is yet to commit the 50 per cent funding requested by Brown in the draft 2012-2022 long term plan.

Labour has made an election promise to pay up.

Brown and his travel group will view Maglev Transportation Project, Shanghai Metro Company, Shanghai Changjiang Tunnel and Bridge Project, Wuxi tunnel boring machines manufacturing site, and the Tsing Ma Bridge in Hong Kong.

The trip is a precursor to a council business trip in the pipeline for 2012.

"Auckland and New Zealand have strong and growing relationships with China, and Auckland has long had a significant Chinese community, many from the Guangdong region," Brown says.

Next year's trip is set to depart in April at a cost of $25,000.

On the one hand I think its a bit redundant that he goes as a layman as he is no engineer.. but on the other if he can see for himself how things can be done and follows through on it by getting perhaps a foreign consulting firm to do the work then I have no doubt that some serious savings can be achieved on this and other projects.. What would be even better were if a foreign infrastructural construction firm were involved in the project to start putting the screws on the likes of Fletchers..

[KLK]

Have to agree - I am astounded by some of the costs and timeframes that apply in NZ for these sorts of projects, compared to elsewhere.

I know the devil is in the detail and you aren't always comparing apples with apples, but it just seems like its always more expensive, and always takes longer, to get these things done than it does in other places.

[KiwiRob]

I drive through a tunnel everyday, it's just over 3 km long, blasted through solid granite, it took 12 months to build and open for traffic.

[Shoredude]

so the cbd rail link could be opened in over a year and so could waterview.

[KIWIKAAS]

oh come on

[Mr_kiwi_fruit]

I see Hop card readers have been installed at both the City and Devonport Ferry wharves.

Downtown

image hosted on flickr

Hop readers by craigsydnz, on Flickr

Devonport

image hosted on flickr

Hop readers by craigsydnz, on Flickr

image hosted on flickr

Hop readers by craigsydnz, on Flickr

There has also been a huge increase in the number of bike parks at Devonport wharf, including a dedicated area for scooter and M/bike parking

Bike parking Devonport at front side

image hosted on flickr

Bike parking by craigsydnz, on Flickr

Bike parking at the rear - there is a rear entrance into the terminal as well

image hosted on flickr

Bike parking by craigsydnz, on Flickr

image hosted on flickr

Bike parking by craigsydnz, on Flickr

[mathlete]

I love those vertical bike holders. Crack me up every time.

[drosophila]

They work quite well though - have you ever used them? Quite common in the Netherlands